My favourite combo, the one I own :) Olympus EM1x and 100-400

There is no doubt about it. Nikon is firing on all cylinders and is making some mighty strong moves. If Nikon brings this momentum into 2024, then it will be well-positioned to gain some market share and mind share. I'm a Nikon user, but I am not blind and can see how users can enjoy their own favorite brands, and this speaks well for the future. All of these camera systems are capable of producing excellent images, and the member photos attest to that. Go out there and take some photos, my friends. There are a lot of special moments to capture.

@Duade

5 ай бұрын

Great comment and totally agree, I am just happy that all the brands are doing there best to deliver great gear. Every brand now has an option for wildlife and competition is great for us all. Cheers, DUade

Just got my first wildlife lens following your recommendation (400 f5.6 EF lens)! Keep up the good work.

@Duade

5 ай бұрын

Congrats, a great light lens that I love, good luck with it. Cheers, Duade

@stephen25uk

2 ай бұрын

Great choice. You won't be disappointed.

@EarNoodles

Ай бұрын

Half the photos I've ever taken were with that lens hope you enjoy it as much as me. :)

Thanks for a great year Duade, you have help me improve my bird photography dramatically this year and also help me make the decision of getting the Sigma 150-600c as my first real birding lens. I am 15 and started bird photography a year and a half ago, I loved birdwatching but after seeing a few of your videos I wanted to try the photography side of things. I was just using my dads old camera and lens that he had laying around which was a canon 500d with a canon efs 55-250. The focal length has always been my problem but I have actually taken some real nice photos that I am very proud of, but now I will be using the sigma 150-600c as I just got it for Christmas. I have already tried the lens out and it is as good as you say and I am ecstatic to have possession of such a great lens. Thank you Duade for all the help and stay safe

Duade Paton, Steve Perry and Jan Wagener are in my opinion the best wildlife photograhers in youtube. In 2024 I am waiing the nikon z50ii and the z90. Thanks!

I’ve been a Canon loyalist since the 1970’s, but the recent Nikon lenses with the built-in TCs and their line of PF lenses are very, very tempting. I hope Canon’s R1 and rumored combination TC come through in 2024. Thanks for another fun video - and the kind remarks. Wishing you and yours a wonderful New Year.

@Duade

5 ай бұрын

Thanks Mark, totally agree, I suspect this new TC from Canon might be game changing and the R1 and R5II have me very excited, if we can get a 600 DO it will be fantastic. Cheers, Duade

@ww3688

5 ай бұрын

2023 is Nikon's year... Z9, Z8, 180-600... looking forward to 2024 as being Canon's year... Sigma lenses, R5ii, R1, 35/1.2, TS-E, 200-500/4 to go along with the already amazing 10-20/4, 28-70/2, 24-105/2.8, 100-300/2.8, 200-800 line up!

@Smokeyr67

5 ай бұрын

I'm a Canon tragic too, I even bought the T-80 ! I was tempted to swap to Nikon (nick on, not n eye con) when Mirrorless became a viable thing, but I'm hard wired into the Canon menu, and I'm too old and set in my ways to adapt.

@Duade

5 ай бұрын

Thanks Winston, I suspect so and I look forward to seeing what 2024 delivers. Cheers, Duade@@ww3688

Thanks Duane for putting everything together and letting us have the opportunity to showcase our work! It was great to see my photo up there (Black Skimmer) and great to see everyone else’s work. Thank you for a great year and cheers to another!

@Duade

5 ай бұрын

Thanks Ryan and great photo, yes a wonderful year and good luck in 2024, Cheers, Duade

hi Duade let me start by thanking all the photo contributors for sharing the images they captured. they are all very beautiful. the camera you shoot with doesn't matter. But how you can deal with that. I myself ended up at Canon. the R3 with the RF 100-500 is a great camera combination, but don't forget the baby among cameras, the Om system, it is a very portable, its also affordable camera system. I wish you all a lot of photo fun in 2024. See you again next year. warm greetings from the Netherlands❤

@Duade

5 ай бұрын

Thanks, yes, you are right the Olympus OM-1 is very good indeed, probably offers the best specs at the best price. Cheers, Duade

Thank you Duade for the marvelous, fair and comprehensive review on this years' winning and runner up gear! True to your promise last year, you've opened up yourself to different brand offerings, shared excellent unbiased and heart felt experiences. BRAVO! This is Nikon's year to shine and re-emmerge as king. Undoubtedly, you have garnered a wider audience, appreciation and respect for the great reviews and tips you have given all of us birders! A fantastic year for you... Wishing you another awesome year and great health in 2024 ! Congrats to your members' beautiful contributions!

@Duade

5 ай бұрын

Thanks Winston, I appreciate the feedback and yes I had a lot of fun with the different brands, Fuji is the only one that evades me so here is hoping that can change in 2024. Thanks for your support throughout the year, Cheers, Duade

@ww3688

5 ай бұрын

Well, Fuji needs to step and send you some gear!

@Duade

5 ай бұрын

Yes, that would be great. Cheers, Duade@@ww3688

Thank you Duade for that year and this summary! I’ll be looking forward to 2024 and Canon’s new releases, the r5m2 and possibly the r1 Also a huge thank you to all the people who sent in their incredible pictures they took with the gear presented in the video! This leads me to a big question… How do you send pictures in or where are you guys sending them in? Have a nice end of 2023 y’all and an even better 2024! Stay safe :)

Hi Duade.Thanks again for putting it together. It's really admirable how much work you put in for us. May you be out and about in the Australian countryside for many years to come. Greetings from Vienna where my R7 and my 100-400mm reside.

Best birding knowledge and professionalism in Australia. Looking forward to 2024 with great anticipation 💯

Hi Duade, thanks for all the great content throughout the year….. interesting awards, although I’ve never shot Nikon, the lenses alone make me seriously envious! I too wish that Canon would produce an equivalent of the 600 f6.3 - I would just have to buy that 😊 Happy New Year to you.

What a year Duade! Endless wonderful gear and so many amazing photos from you and your members!! I hope you have the happiest of New Years and I so look forward to what 2024 brings to this channel!!

@Duade

5 ай бұрын

Thank you so much for the support, yes, a wonderful year for sure, Cheers, Duade

I switched from Fuji to Nikon about 3 months ago and couldn't be happier. Z-Mount was the right decision, even though I was sceptical at first. Wanted to get an R5, but there was no native 600mm zoom, and generally a lack of good affordable wildlife lenses, so I went with Nikon, despite worrying about the AF performance, just for that 180-600 lens. Been shooting mainly with that lens and the 105mm Macro, today I received the 800 PF, and I'm blown away. There's just no competition for this lens from the other brands, absolutely brilliant.

@Duade

5 ай бұрын

Congrats, my two good mates use the 800 6.3 and love it, I may try to borrow it from Nikon this year so I can try it myself. Great to hear you are enjoying Nikon. Cheers, Duade

awesome year to you Duade. been awesome watching and learning from you. Cheers mate!

Great list! Thanks so much for putting this video together and thanks for sharing my two woodpecker image at the end of the video! Cheers.

@Duade

5 ай бұрын

Thanks, it is my pleasure, so many photos made it tough, have a great 2024, Cheers, Duade

Lovely video and tons of fun! I love seeing everyone’s work as well as yours!

@Duade

5 ай бұрын

Thanks mate, and thanks for submitting the shots, have a great 2024. Cheers, Duade

Really enjoyed your summary of what’s on offer … I look forward to every new video you post, it’s lovely to see/hear the best of Australian bird life through your lenses. Through your reviews, and even mindful of the issues you’ve highlighted, I’ve purchased an R7 and am looking forward to spending time with it in the field. Best wishes for 2024, take care.

@Duade

5 ай бұрын

Thanks for the support and feedback, I appreciate it, congrats on the R7, I am sure you will have loads of fun with it. Cheers, Duade

Great video with some amazing photos, and with well deserved winners in the different categories. It have been a joy and a pleasure to follow you during 2023 Duade, and looking forward to all your videos in 2024. Wishing you and your family a wonderful and exiting 2024, with a lot of fun, joy, happiness and good health. Cheers, Bjoern. And if i could choose a set up of all you did speak about here, it had to be the Z9 and the 600 f4 tc. But that is a bit out of my price range heheheh. Happy New Year to you and yours mate.

Thank you Duade for all your great content this past year. Your channel has become my first (and sometimes only!) stop for getting review information - you're fair, honest, and provide some fantastic detailed information. I'm looking forward to getting either the Canon 100-500 or 200-800 to pair with my R7 in 2024, and your reviews have provided a wealth of pros/cons of all the options out there. One more thing, I really appreciate in this (and other) reviews you sharing others photos - no doubt your photos are fantastic, but great to see others as well. Thanks again for a great year of content, and all the best in 2024!

Have a Happy New Year, Duade. Good health to you and happy shooting. Looking forward to your 2024 outings and adventures. Cheers!

@Duade

5 ай бұрын

Thanks so much, same to you and family, Cheers, Duade

What an amazing video, Duade! You packed so much interesting and valuable information in one video! I'm glad I happened to get the R7 and RF 100-500L when I decided to jump in bird photography from landscape photography 6 months ago. But your video provided so many wonderful options that I didn't know before. Thanks so much!

@Duade

4 ай бұрын

Glad you enjoyed it!

Hi Duade. Thanks for another great video, and I have to say I agree with all your awards for the year, especially Nikon. It’s great that Nikon have delivered such fantastic kit in response to the likes of Canon and Sony - now we need Canon, Sony, OM- System, Panasonic etc to respond to Nikon. However you look at it we the photographers/consumers end up being the winners! Also wonderful to see such excellent images from you, Jan W, and members from around the world, you must see so many inspiring images, many more than you have time to show in a video. Thanks again and very best wishes for 2024, looking forward to seeing many more of your videos in the year to come. John

@Duade

5 ай бұрын

Thanks John, I appreciate the feedback, it is shots like yours that keep me inspired and wanting to get out there for more. Have a great 2024, Cheers, Duade

Nice video. My normal setup is the RF 100-500 on my R5 and my RF 200-800 on my R7. That gives me great flexibility. It is winter here and our days are short and a little gloomy so I have mostly shot the RF 200-800 in poor lighting. It has performed better than expected. I agree that Nikon has really come on strong this year.

Duade, Thanks for the 2023 awards. Always nice to see what others use and what their favorites are. Great video.

@Duade

4 ай бұрын

My pleasure Bruce, Cheers, Duade

Hi Duade, thank you for a great 2023!

@Duade

5 ай бұрын

My pleasure Matt, have fun in 2024, Cheers, DUade

This year you shot up as my favourite photography channel above a long list of people I enjoy watching! And it's not just because we both live along the eastern end of Australia

Hey Duade, great review. I started with a Nikon D70. I still have every camera I bought since and F mount lens as well. Now, use a Z6ll with the 100-400 - 180-600 and 800 mm. I'm hoping for an APC body or Z9. Or better.... lol Have a great New Year! See you in 2024. Greg

@Duade

5 ай бұрын

Thanks for sharing! Happy New Year :)

Great comparisons, a lot of great additions! Lets see what 2024 will offer! I just got an RF 100-500 after a lot of research, looking forward to getting out with it soon! I was wondering what brand of vinyl/lens cover you use on yours? I'd like to protect the body from scratches but honestly don't know where to start since I've never had the need to get one! Thanks Duade, a happy new year to you!

Wow so much to choose from how lucky we are today. We've come a long way. With a little persistence and patience you can take great wildlife and birds in flight images with any one of these combinations. It wasn't that long ago that was unthinkable and nearly impossible.

@harrison00xXx

5 ай бұрын

Im not even that long into wildlife (since about 2018 first tries), but what i knew in 2018, there was no acceptable telezoom beyond 500mm for wildlife for less than 1000$ on the market, at least not new. The camera specs, AF performance etc was anyways an issue until mirrorless cameras. As canon introduced the RF 600 & 800 F11, things changed a lot. Not only was wildlife photography with 600mm+ also affordable brand new, but acceptable to carry at hikes and use handheld only and for longer. Nowadays you get even Canons 100-400L Mk2 DSLR lens for sub 1000$, the Sigma 150-600C is also around 500-800$ 2nd hand. Good thing this stuff gets a bit more affordable and practical and beyond that even pretty good at a level professionals dreamed of 10 years ago. What im looking forward... smaller sensors in the future with better specs, MFT combined with lets say a 100-300mm 2.8 MFT lens for 200-600mm effective FL in a package smaller and lighter than a Sony A7 + 200-600G. Or just a 100-500 MFT lens for 200-1000mm in the same size.

@Duade

5 ай бұрын

Thanks mate, totally agree, we are all winners in the end, thanks for the ongoing support and videos, I do appreciate it, Cheers, Duade

Great video as always, Duade! The entire time I watched this video I was just looking at that G9ii sitting in front of you and comparing it, size wise, to the others around you just reminded me why I’m a MFT shooter currently on the G9 with a G9ii on the way. As someone who travels a lot, the size/weight of the MFT system is just a joy. I can pack my G9 and 100-400 in my carry-on with a weeks + worth of clothes and I’m off! That being said, one day I would love to get ahold of a Z8 or similar… We truly are spoiled for options these days, which is great! Cheers!

That Pink Robin shot is the best photo of a bird I've seen in a while. Well done.

Watched so many of your older videos recently, and I just really appreciate the way you present and share your fascination for bird photography. To me you are like Bob Ross of Bird photography!

@Duade

4 ай бұрын

Wow, thank you!

Duade, this is just a great round up and award summary of cameras and lenses for 2023. Excellent production and editing make this a memorable vid. Many thanks for the effort you put into this channel, it's really first class and very much appreciated.

@Duade

5 ай бұрын

Glad you enjoyed it!

G,day Duade, Absolutely loved your honesty about the other makes apart from Canon, the images from the other members are stunning, I cant wait for the R5 ii to come out, I am hoping it will assist my in flight images immensely, I do agree that the Nikon are leading the way they make some immense cameras. Great vid and I cant wait for the next, happy new year to you and your misses.

@Duade

5 ай бұрын

Thanks mate, yes, we are very lucky indeed and I suspect the R5II will be incredible, hope you traveled safely and enjoying the holiday season. Cheers, Duade

Excellent video Duade, so lucky to have been able to use all that incredible kit. I'd love to see you test out the Nikkor 400mm f4.5 in 2024.

thanks for another fantastic video, learnt so much from you this year and super excited about using the new R7 and RF 100-500 I have just been able to purchase. Will be using all your tips and tricks to help make me a better photographer, thanks again and wish you a very successful 2024

@Duade

5 ай бұрын

Thanks David, congrats on the new purchase, a great kit that I am sure once you get to grips with it will provide years of enjoyment. Cheers, Duade

Great end of year wrap up. Thank you.

As always , so relaxed and informative . Thanks.

Just amazing! Keep up your wonderful work!

Happy new year Duade. As a recent OM convert I look forward to getting to grips with that system. I’ve only done a couple of thousand shots as it has been either too hot or too wet around Brisbane. But I liken using the OM-1 and 100-400 lens to ten pin bowling. When the ball is a bit heavy you can still get a good score but it is a bit of a struggle. Using the OM system is like getting the ball weight right and scoring strikes more often. Really happy so far but I feel the lens is probably better at f7.1 instead of wide open at f6.3. Early days. Well done on your video. Not easy do a video like that as there are a lot of pride of purchase brand supporters. 😂

@Duade

5 ай бұрын

Thanks Tony, yes, the weight savings is incredible that is for sure. If you use the OM-1 long term maybe try to borrow or get hold of the 300 f4, that lens is so sharp is crazy. Have fun, Cheers, Duade

@tonyblake8841

5 ай бұрын

@@DuadeI was strongly thinking of the 300 as like you many people love it particularly with the x1.4tc. I just think for my photography I need a zoom. And yes I think at 400mm (800 FF EQV) it can be not quite sharp sometimes. Doesn’t help if long distance through 88% relative humidity. Cheers

Excellent review Duade! As a (very) long time Nikon shooter I picked this year to jump into the mirrorless pool and I have been amazed with the Z8 (as has my videographer daughter) and the 180-600 for birds (the only real wildlife we have in NZ!). These new bodies with no mechanical shutter will only get better with each new firmware and I can see them being around for a long time. A couple of local birders have the 200-800, so I hope to compare that with the 180-600+1.4TC in the new year. Thanks again for you wonderful no nonsense content.

Thanks Duade for another superb year of videos. Doing my own awards, I vote your channel as top bird photography channel for the second year in a row. No pressure for this year.

@Duade

5 ай бұрын

Lol, thanks Michael, yes, no pressure at all. Have a great 2024. Cheers, Duade

I moved from the Canon 90D and Sigma 150-600C to a Canon R7 and RF100-500... I am really happy with this combo... I am considering getting a second hand R5. Money is a big consideration, I think if I wait to the R5 Mark 2 comes out, the Mark 1 will instantly be cheaper. Thanks for your channel, Duade. Your love of what we do shines through and makes you a standout. Happy New Year and I look forward to 2024.

@Duade

5 ай бұрын

Thanks Andrew, yes, the R5 second hand market will drop a lot once the R5II comes out, it is such a good camera. Have fun in 2024, Cheers, Duade

@andrewkeir2282

5 ай бұрын

@Duade Hi Duade, I hope you and your property are OK with the flooding around Wang.. Looked pretty brutal.. ( Not as bad as my son in Kuranda over 2000mm in I think 10 days with the cyclone)

@Duade

5 ай бұрын

Thanks Andrew, yes, some flooding in town, and plenty on my property, a few trees down and plenty of water about but nothing too bad, I feel for everyone impacted. Cheers, Duade@@andrewkeir2282

Hey Duade, great list and poll! Just wondering, what do you use to keep your camera and lenses clean? I don't want to damage my lens using the wrong tools, and google gives so many conflicting views.

Love your KZread presentations - so informative with gorgeous photography! This year I moved from Canon 7Dii with the Sigma 150-600 C lens to Canon R7 with Canon RF 100-400 + 1.4 extender. Half the weight and much better focus technology = double the fun (and many more keepers!)

@Duade

5 ай бұрын

Thanks for sharing!

Duade, you're killing it this year with reviews! This is so appreciated. I still haven't upgraded. I bought into the Fuji system and deep into it so it's painful. I just picked up the Tamron 150-500mm for Fujifilm and paired it with my X-H2S and it's been offering me some really good shots. When the Nikon Zf came out, I thought this would satisfy both my street and bird photography needs. Alas, Nikon hasn't provided exactly what I'm looking for yet. I am hoping the next body they release will be that 33 megapixel baby Z8 and then I'm good to switch. Cheers! Happy new year!

Duade, thanks for including my photo of the green-winged teal in this video! I just got the 200-800 and am having a blast with it. Looking forward to the R5 MK2 in the coming months!

Thank you Duade for putting together this survey, it must have been time consuming. And, as always, you showed fairness and respect to each manufacturer. I'm primarily a high school sport photographer and I've shot Nikon all my life, Im 73. So I gave myself a gift this year and purchased the Z9 and a bit later the Z400 4.5 lens. The 400. 4.5 is so light and compared to the Nikon 400 2.8, its like lifting a feather. I can hand hold it the entire game. If I had to start over again, I'm not sure which brand I would choose. that would be another great question, what do you presently shoot and if you had to start all over again which brand would you choose? Happy new year to you and your family, I look forward to many more videos, Ted in Sebastian, Fl.

@Duade

5 ай бұрын

Thanks Ted, yes these Nikon PF lenses are game changing and is what Canon is missing from their lineup. It is difficult to choose a brand these days as to be honest everyone is good and has pros and cons. I think Nikon are leading the way but I look forward to the Canon R1 and R5II. Enjoy your kit and shooting those sports games. Cheers, Duade

Wow, what a huge comparison. Thank you for all that info and love the images. The R7 has gradually become my favourite wildlife camera. My R5 feels lonely now. The R7 just gets me closer and I'm afraid I've built the muscle memory around it now. Oh, that RF100-400mm is so neat. I took it to South Africa on my R7 and used it every day for four months. Love it.

Brilliant video Duade, and the awards were a fair reflection I think. I’m a Canon shooter but credit to Nikon for what they have done this year. Completely missed the vote and sending images as spent most of Xmas with some bug. A huge congrats to those member images sent in, wow! Looking forward to what 2024 brings and also to your channel. Happy New year all. Gary

@Duade

5 ай бұрын

Thanks mate, I appreciate the ongoing support and sorry to hear of your illness, nothing worse. Cheers, DUade

Great review on the different gear options and Nikon did hit it out of the park with selections mentioned. I bought the 180-600 to along go with my Z9 and very happy with the affordable option for Wildlife that gives center image quality of higher priced lens! Nikon has really moved up the list options for photographers even getting into mirrorless late.

Excellent video (I discovered this channel today). As a Nikon shooter, I am 100% biased. But last few years have been tough for Nikon fans... But finally, Nikon is back and you and your viewers did not fail to notice this. This year I bought the Z8 but I am still shooting with the Nikkor F 500mm f/5.6 PF as I cannot yet justify buying my dream lense, the Nikkor Z 400mm f/2.8. But after watching this video, I may reconsider the Nikkor Z 600mm f/6.3... I was disappointed it was not a f/5.6 to be honest.

Great summary of wildlife gear, I like how you captured most expensive to affordable kits. Enjoy very much your channel, I learn a lot.

I was lucky enough this year to get a z8 and the z 100-400, after selling some less used lens and a camera. This is right now my favorite setup. My 500pf works great to and is also quite light and nimble.

Another great and honest video! Happy New year 2024 :)

@Duade

5 ай бұрын

Thank you! You too!

Thank you for a year of stellar reviews and images! I still love my Canon R5 and rf 100-500.

@Duade

5 ай бұрын

Thanks Barbara it is a wonderful kit that is for sure, Cheers, Duade

Thanks Duade. Great roundup! Might need to swap my Sigma 150-600 for a Canon 200-800 in 2024. Best wishes for the new year!

@Duade

5 ай бұрын

Thanks Gary, I don't think you will be dissapointed, have fun, Cheers, Duade

What an amazing video. I love see the members photos and the gear awards. For 2024, I think I'll keep using my R7 and my two lenses, the Sigma 150-600 and my Canon EF 70-300 L. My choise will be using the money to travel as I'm currently super happy with the photos I'm taking with my gear. Happy 2024 for you Duade and everyone in this community

@Duade

5 ай бұрын

Thanks Tomaz, it was a great year and so many lovely photos, have fun in 2024 and I look forward to seeing the shots you will get. Cheers, Duade

I see some incredible images coming from the Z9 400 2.8 combination, but I also read numerous complaints about the wait and difficulty getting them. Enjoyed the review nonetheless. Age and fixed income make it academic to me but interesting.

Thanks, Duade! I think you nailed it here with the conclusions of the current situation of the market. I, much like you, are knee deep in the Canon trench, and, one of many reasons, I chose it was because of what you also mention: ergonomics. To be able to catch birds or brief appearances of wildlife, it is crucial that you can have all important buttons/features etc near your fingers and that it all makes sense. Nikon is really catching up again and showing that they are serious. The Z9 (and Z8) shouldn't be ignored in any way. They are awesome bodies! To all that shared images included in this video: Immense thanks for sharing loads of mind-blowing and stunning photos! May your new year come with plenty of good light and rock steady shutter fingers!

Awesome list and video. Waving from The Islands of The Bahamas 🇧🇸

@Duade

5 ай бұрын

Thanks, my pleasure, waving from Sunny Australia, Cheers, Duade

Thanks for a great 2023 mate love the channel and unbiased reviews best wishes for 2024

Great review. My favorite combo is Z9+180-600 /nikkor. Amazing results after I became comfortable with autofocus

I also have the Sigma C 150-600mm with 1.4 extender and have been happy with the R6 Mk II in the hobby sector for 2 years. When I have saved enough I will also get an RF as I want at least 800mm. But for now I've had enough. Great video and greetings from Germany

Great video, and Nikon deserves all the kudos for turning things around. I’m looking forward to the (rumored) Canon RF 400mm f/4 DO lens. If Canon is going to provide some direct competition for Nikon’s PF line, that would be an excellent starting point.

@Duade

5 ай бұрын

Thanks Kyle, totally agree, if the 400 f4 is a success I can only hope for a 600mm option. Cheers, Duade

Hi Duade, greetings from Brisbane. This was an excellent presentation. I'm still using my Nikon D500/500PF combo and very happy, although moving to mirrorless is something I'd like to do. The choices now seem endless! I'd be interested to know which camera you think has the best autofocus and eye af (for birds in flight) out of those you reviewed in this video. Wishing you and yours a very happy new year.

@guitarman70

5 ай бұрын

?

Well done. The content was comprehensive and presented clearly and at a great pace. It was a great snapshot of where the top players stand relative to one another currently. Very helpful. Nikon's comeback has been remarkable. The Z glass releases and firmware updates have exceeded my expectations by quite a margin. Absolutely stunning recovery from its late arrival to the mirrorless category.

D850 is just refused to die. A tank of camera indeed.

Nice to see pics taken by guys from Poland! 🇵🇱 great job, folks!🎉

Hi Duade thanks for your video once again ! I personally am a beginner and I confirm that the R7 + RF 100-400 is a wonderful combo because of its versatility and its price. Absolutely love it even if, of course, the main default is that you often struggle in low light conditions like in rainforests for example.

@Duade

5 ай бұрын

Thanks for sharing!

hoping to invest in a 'beginner' setup of the R7 with the RF 100-400. It seems like such a versatile setup and i can further upgrade to the RF 100-500, or go all out for reach with the 200-800. Also offers the possibility of grabbing an adapter and getting a cheaper second hand EF or third party lens in the future.

Congratulations on all your hard work in 2023. It is appreciated. Hope you keep the momentum into 2024!

Thank you So Much, Respect your views.

You are probably aware but Jan has had some pretty rough weather the last few days. I understand around 300mm of rain in 24 hrs adding to already soaking rain with more to come.

@Duade

5 ай бұрын

Hi Tony, yes, the weather has been very poor up there, lucky for Jan he has been in Melbourne during the poor weather. Cheers, Duade

Great video. Some good choices there, too, I think. You've certainly put in the hard yards to bring us the content that you produce. Well done. Roll on 2024. I've been looking at the RF200-800. But as a hobbyist (not even up to amateur league yet), it's a hard call for me. I might have to make do with my aging Tamron 150-600 G1 lens. One question, though. Where did you get that plate thingy that you sit on the ground for those awesome ground level shots? I recently bought a gimbal and was thinking of a piece of stainless 10mm plate and butchering one of my tripods to mount the head onto it and to afix the gymbal to that. Thanks.

@Duade

5 ай бұрын

Thanks for the support, yes its called a ground pod, or Skimmer Pod, I got mine here but its overpriced for what it is. Many people likeyourself make one from an Ikea frying pan/wok, timber, anything that is not too heavy and gives a steady base. I think it is a 3/8 bolt that comes through the bottom to attach to the gimbal. store.naturescapes.net/skimmer-ground-pod-ii-camera-support-for-bird-and-wildlife-photography/ Cheers, Duade

Excellent video Duade - you nailed it with these awards. Congrats to Nikon - they've done a wonderful job with their MLCs. And many thanks for including my image, was a very nice surprise. A big congrats to everyone's images that were used in this video, stunning work guys (and gals of course). Hoping 2024 brings you many more images.

@Duade

5 ай бұрын

Thanks mate, yes, a great year for all, and great that Nikon are putting the heat on others, it only helps us all. Have a great 2024, Cheers, Duade

@davepastern

5 ай бұрын

@@Duade thank you! Hopefully you have an awesome 2024 mate!!! I love your channel and it’s been responsible for me getting into bird photography. I’m still not super and probably never will be, but I feel that my images have improved over the past ~18 months.

@Duade

5 ай бұрын

My pleasure mate, all we can do is have fun out there and reflect on our own personal journey of improvement and evolution. Have fun in 2024. Cheers, Duade@@davepastern

@davepastern

5 ай бұрын

@@Duade the big thing is to have fun. I think too many people forget this

Great video as always Duade 🎉

My current setup is the G9 and 100-400 combo. It's good enough for me. But if i was buying again i would definitely consider the R7 and 100-500 or the The OM1 with the 300mm F4.

Thanks Duade 👍🏻 Fantastic video as always mate. My favorite kit right now is the Canon R10 with the 100-400mm f/5.6-8 IS USM. Fantastic package for wildlife while traveling, as it is small and light and cost vs output is outstanding! It is also enjoyable to use for extended periods due to its low weight 😊

@Duade

4 ай бұрын

Thanks for sharing!

This is such a wonderful fair-minded review of the amazing cameras and lenses released in 2023 that are most relevant for wildlife photography. I agree that Nikon has made the greatest progress and shown true leadership in the use of firmware updates to enhance the capabilities of their existing camera bodies, and they introduced a great selection of lenses that are particularly relevant for wildlife photography. I hope that they continue to release additional firmware updates for the Nikon Z8 and Z9, and that they will build on the successes of those bodies to release a true successor to the Nikon D 500. I am really looking forward to the Canon R5 MarkII, the Canon R1, and new releases from Sony. I would also like to see Canon release a mirrorless body that would be the true successor to the Canon 7D Mark II DSLR. Although the Canon R7 is a close replacement, it lacks several important features that perhaps could be introduced in a Canon R7 Mark II.

Thanks Duade, I actually got Sony A7R5 and noticed the AF is better than A1 (I own both), despite the slow fps, also the 60mp sensor gives more room for cropping, which is a must for wildlife.

@Duade

5 ай бұрын

Thanks for the feedback, I hope to try that camera this year some time, 60mp does sound very nice for cropping, Cheers, Duade

I am waiting for MY Panasonic G9 II. I hope this will be what my GH6 and OM-1 couldn't be in one body. A go to photo/video workhorse for those occasions where I simply cannot carry FF lens setup. But I also can't wait Canon R5 II

@Duade

5 ай бұрын

Have fun when it arrives, Cheers, Duade

Very nice Duade.Happy new year.Hope you will publish a video about Nikon zf

@Duade

5 ай бұрын

Thanks Tony, I am hoping Nikon deliver us an APSC body with eye tracking which I will review. Cheers, Duade

Hi Duade, Nice comparison but it misses one important for me aspect -comparison of the image stabilization in handheld video and more specifically during pans. I have Sony and the IS in video is terrible, tried the Canon RF 100-500 and was in another league. Heard that the IBIS in video of the Nikon and 180-600 is the best among the full frame lenses. Haven't seen video comparisons unfortunately. I'm trekking a lot and don't carry most of the time heavy tripod and fluid head so the handheld video stabilization is very important for me. Do you have any impression of the video stabilization between 180-600 and 100-500 or perhaps can compare it in future video ?

Love my Nikkor Z 600mm PF on the Nikon Z9 for wildlife..when needed. Usually it is the 180-400 actually.

Super video as usual, very interesting how Nikon have dominated the end results. I had hoped that Olympus would come somewhere in your findings as the cheap option to the Sony A1! wishing you a Happy New Year and please like Jan keep up the great work...regards from the wet and windy UK.

@Duade

5 ай бұрын

Thanks for watching!

Great video, Duade!

Yup, really liking my new Z8. And for Christmas, my beautiful and generous Mrs. Claus gifted me the new 600mm 6.3 pf lens. Just tested it on waterfowl at the Bow River here in Calgary. What a great combo. I also have my “old” D850 to pair with my equally “old” 500mm 5.6 pf lens. I like to take it off the shelf and head down to the beach or river - it’s fun to go back to the less automated feel of the DSLR. I’ve got some of my best shots with that camera and the Z8 is a great successor. The fact is though, these days whatever brand we use, we are spoiled for choice. The differences among the top end cameras are very small and the brands keep leapfrogging one another, both in bodies and lenses. I really enjoy your channel, Duade. All the best in 2024.

Hi Duane, Thanks for creating and sharing another brilliant video ‘2023 wildlife and camera lens award’ Just sold my A9 and 200-600 as it had become difficult for me to hand hold for more than a few seconds. (I don’t like using tripods, more stuff to carry) I agree with all the section winners, the truth is unfortunately as much as some of us would love to own these combinations we may have restrictions either budgetary and/or the hand holding due to weight of camera lens combinations. I’m in the process of buying new kit that has to be easily hand holdable. I have a budget of around 4000 € Of the “lighter” camera and lens combinations you have tested for birds/wildlife/BIF - which did you find as the best overall performing combination Fuji/Olympus/Lumix? Thanks, A Happy New Year to you and all your subscribers.

The sharpness of RF 100-500 surprises me everyday. Even with max crop I still get usable image with this lens.

@Duade

4 ай бұрын

Totally agree, it really is an incredible lens.

I can't afford most of these cameras. I'm still using an EM-1 Mark II. I do macro, birds, and snakes and live where you can go from urban to rural real quick. I hike and am on the run a lot, so that system works for me.

I appreciate your reviews of gear, as well as your excellent imagery of birds in particular. Thank you! I often get questions from people who don't, for various reasons, want to get a ILC - either cost, bulk or weight. Most of those are not planning to produce large, details prints - they will be taking images for social media (which downsizes images rather drastically), digital display or modest-sized prints. Despite being predominantly a Canon shooter, the camera I point them to is the Sony RX-10MkIV, which is heading for its seventh year in production, yet is still generally regarded as first in class. It's a bridge camera with a 20MP 1" stacked Exmor RS CMOS sensor with DRAM chip, eye tracking and a Zeiss f/2-4.4 lens with an equivalent FoV of 24-600, that can be extended, using their Clear Image Zoom feature to an equivalent of 1200mm with absolutely minimal loss of quality. This is done through an AI algorithm, rather than just digital zooming per se. If you can get hold of one locally, I think you would be doing that constituency a great favour by exploring that type of camera, and certainly the RX-10IV. There are lots of people who are out there who cannot afford the gear we get, nor for various reasons carry it with them. I have a lot of Canon Gear, but also shoot Fuji, Nikon and Olympus, but the RX-10 has a firm place in my arsenal.

R7+ RF 100-500mm is incredible. Finally upgraded from my EF 100-400 sigma. Couldn’t be happier.

@12symmo

5 ай бұрын

I keep thinking of ditching Sony for this. I’d love something full frame with eye af at a similar price point, but canon keeps nerfing those with things like poor battery life, inability to use battery grips etc.

I have the first Sony A9 with the Sony 200-600mm, although it's dated to most ...I've been enjoying my time with it

Hi Duade , can’t disagree with the choices and cheers for tbe shout out 😳😎👍🏻

@Duade

5 ай бұрын

My pleasure mate, it was a wonderful year, Cheers, Duade

I like Nikon's innovative use of built-in Teleconverters. Hopefully other brands will take note.

I had once also the option to either pick a RF 100-400 new, Sigma 150-600C or a EF 100-400 II 2nd hand. I was searching for a zoom addition in the effective 200-800mm range for the RF 800 F11, preferred a "fast" lens, yet affordable (so the 100-500L was not on my list at all) The RF 100-400 was too short on the long end for me, as well lacking a bit sharpness wide open for the R7, as convenient and awesome it was. The EF version Mk2 2nd hand i picked later and its a GREAT lens, tho as expected too short as allrounder for wildlife. Sigma 150-600C i got for a good price and i wont sell it, i probably use it until it breaks since 240-960mm are the most versatile thing with the EOS R7 With the 200-800 release things changed a bit and im thinking of replacing Sigma 150-600C and RF 800 F11 with it to have "both" lenses in a single one. No decision which advantages i want to enjoy anymore. Just always a 2kg lens to carry which is ok, the Sigma 150-600C is often with me at (shorter) walks.

My favorite lens is the Olympus 300mm f4 Pro on the OM-1 with both teleconverters.